The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-27
Inconsistencies in Rules Governing Fashion
able People During Lent-Ridi culous Pre-
tensions of Lewellyn Parks Clique.
How Mrs. Paran Stevens Maintains Her
Claims as a Leader of Society.
Entertainments Of Trade on the Sacred Pre-
cincts of Fifth Ayenue-Plain English
Incapable of Describing the Arion Ball.
CLARA BELLE.

Special to the Indanapolis Journal
New YORK, Feo 26.-Odd things are con-
stantly being done, accidentally and on purpose.
in that small section of New York society which
regards itself all there really is of society;
but I do believe that the diversion of dane
ing " ashington's birthday out and Ash Wednes
day in was absolutely new at Tuxedo. The
holiday was merged into the holy day with
cotillion in the Casino, out at that intensely
fashionable resort. The orchestra played Yam
kee national airs until five minutes before mid
night. Then those whose feet were controlled
by religious scruples stopped dancing and re-
tired from the f1oor-some of them from the
building altogether-but a considerable party
kept up the sport, and six gddy girls, just at the
stroke of II. took the tiny satin starry and
striped flags from their hair and corsages, sub
stituting small knots of black ribbon.
x**
Fashions rules for Lent are curiously conflict
ing and Inconsistent The belle may not dance,
but she may 60 into jolly assemblages to play
badminton or any other game. Dinner parties
are forbidden, but theater parties are not Last
years taboo becomes this years fad, and no
theologian would escape insanity were he to try
to reason out the complications of fashionable
observances of the forty days period II is
hardly clear, indeed, that certain Broadway
merchant was jocose in putting up placard in
his hosiery department. It was attached to
pile of the sort of stockings that are woven
thicker at the knees than elsewhere, in order to
withstand extra wear at those points, and the
inscription said: Examine this line Of lenten
hosiery"
It is altogether likely that the reader has no
idea of the amount or pretentiousness of the
wealth within an area of ten square miles at
Orange in New Jersey. Big and beautiful resi-
dences are strewn along the roads for miles and
miles. Absence of business is a matter of pride,
and ono section-Lewellyn Park, which contains
hundred private houses, including the half
million homestead that inventor Edison recently
bought At sacrifice for 5000 000-is so very
exclusive that your carriage is stopped at every
gate By f1unkey who inquiries what dweller you
coming to The population is composed
almost entirely of New York families, and of
course their local diversions are characteristic
ally exquisite. A kirmess has just been held in
the Orange Opera house, and about all the girls
of the region went to 1.-THE prettiest
of them as sellers at the booths. The
ant dances of various old world countries
were represented. The danseuses were maidens
of high social degree, if not in all instances of
superior nlmbleness or grace. Such a show
would have shocked New York, for the nearest
thing like it here was that kirmess in which
the sons and daughters of Fifth avenue danced
for exhibition in the Metropolitan Opera house;
but that time the amateur ballet was on the gem
eral floor level while at Orange the stage was
used. An expert in professional ballet dancing
was hired to drill the rare danseuses. and one of
the pupils-Miss Stella von der Kieft-devel-
oped sufficient skill and pluck to undertake a
solo. She did not wear short gauze, however,
but was skirted to the calves in gypsy costume.
Being both rich and pretty, she was forgiven the
indiscretion, and it was for charity, anyhow.
l trust that may not be accused Of drawing
color line if write that the most entertaining
| costume gathering lately was given by Hamil-
| ton Coterie, which is composed of negroes.
| Many Of the members are servants in swell
| families. and so the tip was gained for party
of white spectators. They, perhaps. saw less
grotesouery than they expected for negroes are
proverbially initiative A good proportion oil
the masaueraders had seen enough Of polite
| manners to copy them we'll, and not few oil
| the yellow bellies were positive beauties in face
/ and figure. But compensative fun for the ex
/ plot of attendance was provided by a jet black
/ Girl who scorned to hide bit of her ebon face
/ behind a mask, and whose tights-revealed by
| rudmentary draperies-were of Caucasian
/ flesh color.
The conversation in luncheon party turned
on the sale of Jockey Fred Archer's effects, and
after discussing the ridiculous prices which bis
whips and cheap chromos brought. we begar
talking about the worship of relics in general
One told of an actor who relgously keeps in
| scented box garter that belonged t.
Laura Keene, and journalist followed with th,
story of a cranky friend who bribed hote
waiter to get him spoon with which Ellie,
Terry had drunk her tea. s'That man. he wen
on, 'has the most absurd collection of stuff yo'
ever saw But he prizes every article as if
were worth its weight in gold, and for him eac
does have a wonderful value, because it once be
longed TO somebody OF fame. He has bu.to
from one of PATHS dresses and one off Genera
Jackson's pantaloons In his collection there
the original manuscript of one OF Ell
Wheeler's poems piece Of cake left ur
finished on hotel plate by Count De Lessep'
a lock of Dan Lamont's hair, from a barber
$ a piece of coffeecup broken b
Oscar Wilde. leaf of ivy fror
Gad's Hill, bunch of grass from the yard
Q Longfellow's home an old hat that once belonge
to Whittier. and flowers from the graves of a
: most everybody who was ever heard of ten mile
!, from home" "A friend of NINE" said ano.he
8 member of the party, whom | always suppose
o to be particularly hard-headed fellow, su
prised me immensely in his Office. by unlockr
hidden drawer Of his desk and taking out q
9 old, shrive.ed biscuit That said he. issa pa
Of the last meal my only sweetheart and ev
ate. There are the prints tof her teeth yet